UWSP Solar Investment Plan

42 Pages·2017·2.29 MB·English

2017

UWSP Solar Investment Plan
A roadmap designed for the University of Wisconsin Stevens
Point for the incorporation of renewable energy. This plan is a
model and tool for the addition of solar photovoltaic energy
on campus to help accomplish the goal of carbon neutrality by
2050.
University of Wisconsin Stevens Point 0 | P a g e

5/19/2017
Table of Contents
1.1 Campus Photovoltaic (PV) Development Key Contacts .................................................................. 2
1.2 Team Size and Organization ....................................................................................................... 3-4
1.3 Description of University Business Relationships .......................................................................... 4
1.4 Description of Student Engagement and Retention ....................................................................... 5
1.5 Description of Student and Stakeholder Participation Incentives ................................................... 5
1.6 Identification of Professional Development Needs ........................................................................ 6
2.1 Identification of Key Stakeholders ............................................................................................. 7-8
2.2 Identification of Key Concerns and Responsibilities of Priority Decision Makers ............................ 9
2.3 Stakeholder Agenda Management ............................................................................................... 9
3.1 General Site Descriptions ....................................................................................................... 10-22
Nelson Hall .................................................................................................................... 10-11
601 Division Street .............................................................................................................. 12
Hyer Hall ............................................................................................................................. 13
Schmeekle Visitor Center and Parking Lot ............................................................................ 14
Sites on the Main Campus Grid ....................................................................................... 15-22
3.2 Electrical Infrastructure Description ............................................................................................ 22
3.3 System Production Estimates ..................................................................................................... 22
3.4 System Non-Financial Benefits ................................................................................................... 23
3.5 System Cost Estimates ............................................................................................................... 23
4.1 Utility Interconnection Description ............................................................................................ 24
4.2 Permitting and Inspection Requirements .................................................................................... 25
4.3 Planning and Zoning Restrictions .......................................................................................... 26-27
4.4 State Policies and Incentives ................................................................................................. 27-29
4.5 Campus rules and procedures .................................................................................................... 29
4.6 Related Liens, Restrictions, and Agreements Affecting Property Use ........................................... 31
4.7 Draft Policy Recommendations .................................................................................................. 31
5.1 Description of Financial Models ............................................................................................ 33-34
5.2 Budget Priorities, and Process of University Capital Investments ........................................... 34-35
5.3 Current University Foundation Portfolio ................................................................................ 35-37
6.1 Pricing Loaded, Meets or Exceeds Financial and Related Savings Requirements . .......................... 37
6.2 Project Meets Campus Strategy ................................................................................................. 38
6.3 Closing Statement ..................................................................................................................... 38
Appendix ................................................................................................................................... 39-41

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1.1 Campus Photovoltaic (PV) Development Key Contacts
CRI and MREA Funded Staff:
Jason Peters
Student at the University of Wisconsin Stevens Point. Jason is the Stakeholder and
Campus Policy Intern who researched and outlined the opportunities for UW -Stevens Point’s
solar photovoltaic investment based on identification and engagement of key campus
stakeholders, regulatory barriers and opportunities, and campus financial opportunity. Jason
worked on the UWSP Solar Investment plan from December 2016 -May2017.
Email:
1.2 Team Size and Organization
The University of Wisconsin Stevens Point (UWSP) Solar Investment Plan Team is sponsored
through a joint funded effort by the Career Ready Internship (CRI) program and Midwest
Renewable Energy Association (MREA). A preliminary roadmap was designed for the UWSP
campus by a small team of individuals , which would be used as a tool for the campus to invest
in large-scale solar energy on campus. The campus is on route to become carbon neutral by the
year 2050, which this plan hopes to expedite and pose as a guide to acknowledge any concerns
associated with PV installations.
The campus team consists of two undergraduate students who acted as interns, as well as
two staff members who served as advisors to the interns; one was selected from the Office of
Sustainability and the other from the College of Natural Resources. Each intern was paired with
an advisor to work on a specific set of tasks assigned in accordance to the title given by MREA.
The Stakeholder and Campus Policy Intern researched and outlined the opportunities for
UWSP photovoltaic investment based on identification and engagement of key campus
stakeholders, regulatory (campus or other) barriers and opportunities, and campus financial
opportunity. Dave Barbier, the sustainability coordinator on campus, and Jason Peters, the
stakeholder and campus policy intern, worked together on this focus. Mr. Barbier was the
acting advisor to Jason. The primary responsibilities of this team were to describe the process
for decision making on campus to receive the support and approvals needed to construct PV
projects on the UWSP Campus. To do this, key offices, positions, and committees were
identified for further consultation to determine any key concerns the priority decision makers
may have. They also determined the risk factors that may influence the design, financing, and
siting of PV arrays across campus through the identification of any utility requirements,
permits, and other rules and restrictions that would ultimately affect PV installations. The final
task at hand for this team was to describe the financial environment for investing in a PV array.
To accomplish this, a description of the budget and the universities process for capital
investments was researched along with the university foundation portfolio.
The Solar Site and Financial Analyst Intern researched and outlined the opportunities for
UWSP solar photovoltaic investment based on descriptions of priority PV sites, campus
electrical infrastructure and usage analyses, and project financial goals and analysis. Shiba Kar,
an Assistant Professor of Natural Resource Planning and Policy and Sustainable Energy
Specialist, and Alex Thomas, the Solar Site and Financial Analyst Intern, worked together on this
focus. Dr. Kar was the acting advisor to Alex. This team’s responsibilities were to identify
priority solar sites on campus and the possible financial structures of the proposed PV projects.
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This required the construction of site descriptions and analysis as well as any current
development plans the university already has in place. They also determined general size
estimations based on their site analyses while taking into consideration electrical integration
and current infrastructure. On the financial side of their responsibilities, a model was produced
which included legal, tax, and liability considerations as well as project benefits for each of
these models. Lastly, a description of potential PV project investment s cenarios was
constructed.
1.3 Description of University Business Relationships
The University of Wisconsin Stevens Point is a public university within the UW system which
consists of 13 universities and 13 two -year extension colleges.
UWSP Solar Investment team’s stakeholder engagement:
 UWSP Facilities - Carl Rasmussen, UWSP’s director of facilities planning, assisted in
providing future development and campus policy information.
 UWSP Office of Sustainability- Coordinates all campus initiatives to further green
goals and projects
 McKinstry - Construction engineering firm that previously completed a campus
energy audit
 Student Organization
o RHA- Resident Housing Association
o SGA- Student Government Association
 Wisconsin Public Service- Energy service provider to the campus
Project Milestones:
December 2016: Held introductory meeting with stakeholders
January 2017: Completed MREA classes, started individual meetings with stakeholders
February 2017: Began site assessments, met with WPS and McKinstry
March 2017: Finished site assessments
April 2017: Held stakeholder meeting update where priority sites and findings were
presented for project initiation
May 2017: Finished Roadmap, held final stakeholder meeting to present final product.

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1.4 Description of Student Engagement and Retention
The University recruited two faculty advisors and two students to work as interns in the
partnership between the MREA and the CRI program on campus. Upon completion of the road
map the further development, implementation, and campus outreach would be conducted
through the Office of Sustainability.
1.5 Description of Student and Stakeholder Participation Incentives
To incentivize project participation, e ach student was able to utilize this road map as an
addition to their resume, which would represent a project having an environmental as well as
financial impact on a substantial state business. Each student was also presented with a grant
for 300 hours of work with an hourly pay of $10.00/hr. As part of the project, interns
completed a series of four classes through MREA’s PV training. After completion, each intern
had the option to work towards certification in multiple fields having the effect of making them
more marketable to future employers.
Stakeholders also received an array of benefits from this project. The Office o f
Sustainability now has a general plan to use to incorporate solar onto the campus and further
into the UW system. This plan will help the University achieve itsg oal of being carbon neutral
by 2050 and will help them make justified decisions at appropriate times for installations to
take place as the campus expands and updates its infrastructure. The addition of PV arrays on
campus will also add a new educational experience for its students and for the general public.
Shiba Kar, as a Sustainable Energy Specialist, would have the opportunity to expand his
teachings to more hands on and functional training with campus PV. The general public’s
interest could present itself with the option for donations to the campus’s and community
efforts to go green, as well as possible public classes, as they too might want to increase their
general knowledge on PV systems and their incorporation into business and their own homes .

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1.6 Identification of Professional Development Needs
The UWSP Solar Investment Team is receiving assistance from the Midwest Renewable
Energy Association, campus faculty, stakeholders, city of Stevens Point correspondents, and
solar installers. These contacts were all very helpful in assisting with issues regarding so lar
sites, policy, and the financial aspect of PV systems.
The campus currently purchases renewable energy credits at a very low rate. On top of
that, the University pays a very low electricity rate of about 4 cents/kWh on the main campus
grid. The incorporation of PV on campus would free up the revenue used to purchase REC
credits, but this would not be directed back into the campus budget. The payments for this
come from a joint allotment of money that is distributed throughout the UW system to each
college, and if the money given isn’t spent, it’s lost. So, this wouldn’t result in a direct net gain
or loss to campus but to the UW System overall. Once the UW System is convinced of the
effectiveness of solar, this trend could continue across the board, which would free up money
across the system to be used elsewhere.
Sustainability projects have been pulled back due to budget restrictions set by the
Governor of Wisconsin at this time (2017). He and state legislation have put a restriction on
the budget for sustainability and allocation of funds. This will pose as a hurdle for this project in
respect to state funding and capital budget funding.
The UWSP Solar Investment team will be presenting their findings to campus
stakeholders and student organizations that can keep pressure on the University for
incorporating this into their plan. These groups, along with the Office of Sustainability, will
continue working to raise awareness for the plan, while being careful not to quickly build-up
hype that this plan will go into effect in the near future. The installations will not all occur at
once, due to certain criteria and funding, but will take place over a longer timeframe. Careful
planning will ensure that momentum is not lost and the project continues to maintain
popularity and support for years to come.
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2.1 Identification of Key Stakeholders
1. Bernie Patterson
a. Chancellor
2. Greg Diemer
a. Vice Chancellor for Business Affairs
3. Cindy Marzsak
a. University Executive Staff Assistant
4. Erin Hintz
a. Budget
i. Budget Analysis
ii. Operating Budget Planning
5. Rob Manzke
a. Chief of Staff
6. Carl Rasmussen
a. Facilities Planning
i. Capital Budget Planning
ii. Facilities Planning
iii. Space Management
7. Paul Hasler
a. Facilities Services
i. Central Heating Plan
ii. Central Stores
iii. Custodial Services
iv. Grounds/Auto Shop
v. HVAC/Chiller Operation
vi. Mail Services
vii. Maintenance
viii. Receiving
ix. Recycling
x. Surplus Sales
xi. Transportation
8. Chris Richards
a. Vice Chancellor for University Advancement
9. Al Thompson
a. Vice Chancellor of Student Affairs

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10. Shiba Kar
a. UWSP Professor
i. Assistant Professor of Natural Resource Planning and Policy
ii. Sustainable Energy Specialist
11. Bill Rowe
a. Protective Services and Parking
i. Crime Prevention
ii. Criminal investigation
iii. Parking
iv. Protective Services
12. Dave Barbier
a. Sustainability Coordinator
13. Shelly Janowski
a. Sustainability Program and Policy Analyst
14. Mayor Patel
a. McKinstry
15. Robert Finn
a. Chief FDSP
16. Gary Oudenhoven Scott Hansen Julie Green
a. Wisconsin Public Service
17. Chris Brindley
a. Buildings and Grounds

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2.2 Identification of Key Concerns and Responsibilities of Priority Decision
Makers
The campus facilities planning and space management representative Carl Rasmussen has
expressed his concerns of both roof top and parking lot PV systems. His concerns for parking
lot PV systems were that they would pose a threat to possible future construction of new
academic buildings. Carl added that public perception needs to be taken into consideration,
making sure that installations aren’t po sing any reflective problems and would be as
aesthetically pleasing as possible. He and Paul Hasler of facilities services also stressed the issue
with rooftop solar on campus buildings that wouldn’t support the weight due to bu ilding
integrity. Some of the roof arrays proposed in this road map are on track for replacement soon,
with others being pushed back b ased on their need for replacement in the future. Parking
services and maintenance expressed concerns over snow removal on parking lots. Another
concern for PV was how energy flow in and out of the grid would affect the stability of the
electrical system on campus. A few stakeholders have also added concern s on cost an d how
being a public institution prolongs the amount of time projects are pushed bac k prior to
approval and construction.
2.3 Stakeholder Agenda Management
Each team composed meetings between the intern and advisor biweekly through the
semester with a joint meeting between the teams occurring about every three weeks. A larger
group meeting between both teams and the MREA were conducted monthly. Stakeholder
meetings were carried out throughout the project as tasks were completed. An introductory
meeting with all the stakeholders was held prior to the begi nning of the project as well as post
roadmap completion to propose the final completed road map to the executive stakeholders on
campus.
The Board of Regents meets yearly to discuss campus investment and budget allotment for
proposed projects. Scheduling conflicts within our team was manageable with good
communication to find the best times . Doodle requests were the best option when setting up
large meetings with various groups to determine the most appropriate times to get together.

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